98-7125. Intent to Prepare Comprehensive Conservation Plans and Associated Environmental Documents for the Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge and the Rhode Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 53 (Thursday, March 19, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 13422]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-7125]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Intent to Prepare Comprehensive Conservation Plans and Associated 
Environmental Documents for the Ohio River Islands National Wildlife 
Refuge and the Rhode Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex

SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service (Service) intends to gather information necessary to prepare 
two Comprehensive Conservation Plans (CCP) and environmental documents 
pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act and its implementing 
regulations. One CCP will be prepared for Ohio River Islands National 
Wildlife Refuge, in Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky and Pennsylvania. The 
second CCP will be prepared for Rhode Island National Wildlife Refuge 
Complex, including Ninigret, Block Island, Pettaquamscut Cove, Sachuest 
Point, and Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuges in Rhode Island and 
Massachusetts. The Service is furnishing this notice in compliance with 
the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as 
amended (16 U.S.C. 668dd et seq.):
    (1) To advise other agencies and the public of our intentions, and
    (2) To obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues to 
include in the environmental documents.

DATES: Inquire at the addresses below for dates of planning activity 
and due dates for comments regarding specific projects.

ADDRESSES: Address comments, questions and requests for more 
information to the following:

Refuge Manager, Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge, P.O. Box 
1811, Parkersburg, WV 26101-1811, [phone].
Refuge Manager, Rhode Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex, P.O. Box 
307, Charlestown, RI 02813-0307, [phone]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: By federal law, all lands within the 
National Wildlife Refuge System are to be managed in accordance with an 
approved CCP. The CCP guides management decisions and identifies refuge 
goals, long-range objectives, and strategies for achieving refuge 
purposes. The planning process will consider many elements including 
habitat and wildlife management, habitat protection and acquisition, 
public use, and cultural resources. Public input into this planning 
process is essential. The CCP will provide other agencies and the 
public with a clear understanding of the desired conditions for the 
Refuges and how the Service will implement management strategies.
    The Service will solicit public input via open houses, public input 
via open houses, public meetings, workshops, and written comments. 
Special mailings, newspaper articles, and announcements will inform 
people of the time and place of such opportunities for public input to 
the CCP.
    The Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge is scattered along 
approximately 400 river miles from western Pennsylvania, on the borders 
of northwestern West Virginia and northern Kentucky, and southeastern 
and southern Ohio. Established in 1990, the Refuge currently consists 
of 19 islands. Comments and ideas for the protection of threatened and 
endangered species and migratory birds and the protection and 
management of their habitats will be solicited as part of the planning 
process. Comments on the protection of shallow water embayments and 
wetlands along the river will also be solicited.
    The Rhode Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex currently 
consists of 1534 acres of coastal habitats--barrier beach, salt marsh, 
freshwater wetlands, grasslands, and shrublands. The complex is 
comprised of five National Wildlife Refuges: Ninigret (408 acres), 
Block Island (68 acres), Pettaquamscut Cove (174 acres), Sachuest Point 
(242 acres), and Trustom Pond (642 acres). Comments and ideas for the 
protection of threatened and endangered species and migratory birds and 
the protection and management of their habitats will be solicited as 
part of the planning process.
    Review of these projects will be conducted in accordance with the 
requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as 
amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), NEPA Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-
1508), other appropriate Federal laws and regulations, and Service 
policies and procedures for compliance with those regulations.

    Dated: March 9, 1998.
Ronald E. Lambertson,
Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hadley, 
Massachusetts.
[FR Doc. 98-7125 Filed 3-18-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M